IKA

The Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) of RWTH Aachen University is Europe’s leading institute in automotive engineering and directed by Professor Lutz Eckstein. Starting from the idea to innovative concepts for components and systems up to vehicle prototypes the staff of the institute creates and designs the future vehicle. In cooperation with car manufacturers and suppliers the ika is making an acknowledged contribution to help solve current and future global challenges.

The divisions Chassis, Body, Drivetrain, Electrics/Electronics and Driver Assistance represent the classic automotive domains and cooperate closely with the cross-divisional departments of Strategy and Consulting, Vehicle Concepts, Acoustics, Thermal Management as well as Driver Experience and Performance in an interdisciplinary manner. This wide range of expertise enables analysing and optimising the vehicle as a whole, while paying attention to the complex interactions between the individual subsystems. The divisions are linked by focusing on the various features of the vehicle; safety, energy efficiency and driving experience.

In this process ika is involved in the development of the idea, up until the completion of a finished prototype, focusing on the demands of sciences and industry. The institute’s extensive infrastructure is the basis for intensive research for large parts of the automotive industry, as well as for publically funded research by the EU as well as on a federal and national level. In addition to the drive, battery, chassis and tire test benches it also comprises acoustic, thermal dynamic and servo hydraulic research facilities. Furthermore it is enriched by a full vehicle crash test facility, a driving simulator, by test tracks as well as latest measurement technology and up-to-date simulation environments.
ika employs more than 135 members of staff and about 200 student assistants. In addition to that more than 200 student research projects, bachelor, master and diploma theses are part of our research and development projects.

Website: www.ika.rwth-aachen.de
Country: Germany